​Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz produced one of the most spectacular matches in the history of the ATP Masters tournament, with the Serbian winning his 39th title in this category (a record), after winning the final in Cincinnati.

Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Finals in Cincinnati

Nole won 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) in the longest ATP final in 33 years (3 hours 49 minutes).

Absent from the US for the past two years (he has not been vaccinated against Covid-19), Djokovic made an impressive comeback to claim his 95th career title (he is only ahead of Jimmy Connors with 109 and Roger Federer with 103).

Djokovic led 4-2 in the first set, but Alcaraz raised his game and won the set with two breaks.

The Iberian also made a better debut in the second set, leading 4-2, but could not hold his serve until the end and, conceding a match point at 6-5 in the tie-break, lost 7-9.

The deciding set was just as tight, with Nole breaking in the seventh game, Carlos saving two match points on serve (at 3-5) and then two on the return (at 4-5, the games in which he broke), but lost again in a tiebreak, 7-4 in favor of the Serb.

Novak Djokovic – Carlos Alcaraz, 2-2 in straight matches

2023, Cincinnati (final): 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) for Djokovic

2023, Wimbledon (final): 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 for Alcaraz

2023, Roland Garros (semifinals): 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 for Djokovic

2022, Madrid (semi-final): (5)6-7, 7-5, 7-6(5) for Alcaraz.

Results of the final Novak Djokovic – Carlos Alcaraz